Charitable stars from a plethora of organisations were honoured at the Jewish Volunteering Network’s Heartbeat of the Community Awards.

Claude Littner from The Apprentice hosted the North London ceremony, at which winners, chosen by an independent judging panel, included Emunah trustee Camille Compton (overseas and international volunteering).

“Without our dedicated Emunah team, life would have been very different for thousands of children and I am proud to accept this award for my entire Emunah family,” she said.

The award for innovation went to Project ImpACT, providing volunteering opportunities for the post bar- and batmitzvah age group.

More than 100 teenagers attended a subsequent gathering at JW3 to launch the project’s programme for the current academic year. They made lentil curry for the homeless and heard from charities working in the field and a young man with recent experience of homelessness.

Also at the JVN ceremony, Jonathan Middleburgh from overseas aid charity Tzedek was recognised for outstanding leadership and the Kisharon group which runs Childs Hill Library took the team award.

Daniel Gillis (Camp Simcha), Chaya Hoff (Gift) and Rivka Bick from Chana — supporting couples with infertility problems — were among other individual winners.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, was guest speaker and a photo exhibition, Faces of Volunteering, was launched at the event.